U.S. coal use fell 5% in 2011

WASHINGTON — The "Electricity Monthly Update" from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on June 27 that coal and natural gas were in a statistical tie, each with a share of 32% of U.S. net power generation sources, for the first time since 1973.

The drop in the use of coal has been substantial in the last two years, as coal represented 46% of power generation in December 2010 and 48% in December 2009.

U.S. coal use fell 5% in 2011, part of a trend that started in 2009 and appears to be gathering pace.